Southern California -- this just in

Woman raped for 10 minutes on Metro bus

Authorities released a photo of a man detectives believe raped an 18-year-old woman for 10 minutes on a Metro bus.

The victim was described by authorities as having the mental capacity of a 10-year-old.

The attack took place in the rear of the near-empty bus Wednesday evening and went unnoticed by the driver, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

"During the rape, an unknown witness, the only passenger on the bus, attempted to get the driver's attention," the department said in a statement.

But the attacker left the 217 bus before the driver became aware of the assault, according to the department. The attacker got off at the last stop where the bus makes its turnaround at Jefferson Boulevard near Slauson Avenue.

The victim reported the attack to the driver after the attacker was gone.

Detectives said the attacker is black and between 18 and 20 years old. He is 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with short-cropped hair and was wearing jeans and a hooded sweatshirt with narrow horizontal stripes, authorities said.

Detectives were also seeking the witness. Anyone with information is asked to call authorities at (866) 247-5877. Anonymous tipsters can call (800) 222-8477.